Magnetic board and dart spelling system

ABSTRACT

Implementations of a magnetic board and dart spelling system are provided. In some implementations, the magnetic board and dart spelling system comprises a magnetic board and a magnetic dart. In some implementations the magnet board includes a plurality are color-coded spaces wherein each space or a portion of the space is a particular color and for each letter of the alphabet, the board includes at least one color-coded space. In some implementations, a color corresponds to a fixed group of letters of the alphabet based on the frequency of the letter as the first letter used in English words.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/035,900, which was filed on Aug. 11, 2014, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/059,318, which was filed on Oct. 3, 2014, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to implementations of a magnetic board and dart spelling system.

BACKGROUND

U.S. Pat. No. 6,062,997 disclose a multi-piece magnetic dart system that includes a magnetic dart that magnetically engage and attach to a target. The '997 patent discloses a word game target to play different word games. The target includes single letters, letter combinations, and a question mark. The letters have a point value associated with the letters.

The '927 patent discloses that the magnetic darts have stabilizing fins that are secured to the back portion of the body of the dart. The '927 patent discloses that the fins extends rearwardly from the back portion of the body of the dart to aerodynamically stabilize the dart when the dart is thrown towards the target. The '927 patent discloses that the fins comprise an articulated elastomeric, resilient soft, flexible flame-shaped cushioned feather made of natural sponge rubber, or synthetic sponge rubber-like plastic, such as polyurethane foam or urethane foam. The '927 patent discloses that the cushioned feather defines an elliptical, flame-shaped, or arrow-shaped opening to decrease air resistance.

The '927 patent discloses that the magnetic dart also has an enlarged magnetic head. The '927 patent discloses that head of the dart comprises an annular magnetic disc with a substantially planar or flat front surface. The '927 patent discloses that the diameter and transverse span of the disc is substantially greater; and preferably at least four times larger, than the maximum diameter and transverse span of the tubular body of the dart. The '927 patent discloses that the magnetic disc of the dart has a central passageway which provides an optical opening that is axially and concentrically aligned with the sight hole of the tubular body of the dart in order to view the target when aiming the projectile towards the target as well as to view the area of the target which is magnetically engaged and contacted by the magnetic dart.

The '927 patent discloses that the front surface of the disc of the dart is not covered when the dart is thrown against non-electrical magnetic targets or non-electrical overlays or overlays with a membrane switch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1E illustrate an example magnetic dart according to the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an example magnetic boards according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates example dice according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Implementations of a magnetic board and dart spelling system are provided. In some implementations, the magnetic board and dart spelling system comprises a magnetic board and a magnetic dart.

FIGS. 1A-1E illustrate an example magnetic dart 100 according to the present disclosure. In some implementations, the dart 100 includes a handle portion 110 and a head portion 120 having a magnet 130.

FIG. 1B illustrates the profile of an example handle portion 110. In some implementations, the handle portion 110 and a head portion 120 are configured from plastic. In some implementations, the handle portion 110 and a head portion 120 are configured from any suitable material.

In some implementations, the handle portion 110 includes an elongated portion 110 a that tapers from a proximal end 110 a 1 to a distal end 110 a 2. In some implementations, the elongated portion 110 a is a solid piece of material having no hollow portions. In some implementations, the elongated portion 110 a has a first diameter at the proximal end 110 a 1 and a smaller, second diameter at the distal end 110 a 2.

In some implementations, the handle portion 110 further includes a circular portion 110 b extending from the distal end. In some implementations, the circular portion 110 b has a third diameter. In some implementations, the third diameter is larger than the second diameter.

In some implementations, the handle portion 110 further includes an interface portion 110 c extending from the proximal end 110 a 1 of the elongated portion 110 a. In some implementations, the interface portion 110 c tapers from a proximal end 110 c 1 to a distal end 110 c 2. In some implementations, the interface portion 110 c has a fourth diameter at the proximal end 110 c 1 that is larger than first diameter of the elongated portion 110 a at the proximal end 110 a 1.

In some implementations, the interface portion 110 c has a circular opening 110 c 3 on the proximal end 110 c 1 and has a rim 110 c 4 around the opening.

FIG. 1C illustrates an example cross-sectional view of the head portion 120. In some implementations, the head portion 120 has an opening 120 a extending through the head portion from the proximal end 120 b to the distal end 120 c. In some implementations, the head portion 102 includes a rim 120 d extending around the opening on the distal end 120 c. In some implementations, the rim 120 d is configured to engage the rim 110 c 4 to connect the head portion 120 to the interface portion 110 c.

FIG. 1D illustrates an example cross-sectional view of the head portion 120 at the proximal end 120 b with the magnet 130. In some implementations, the magnet 130 is configured to extend from inside the head portion 120 through the opening 120 a of the head portion 120 on the proximal end 120 b.

In some implementations, the head portion 120 includes a ledge 120 e extending around the opening 120 a at the proximal end 120 b. In some implementations, the magnet 130 includes a proximal end 130 a configured to extend through the opening of the head portion 120 on the proximal end 120 b and a distal end 130 b configured to rest on the ledge 120 e around the opening 120 a of the head portion 120 at the proximal end 120 b.

As shown in FIG. 1B, in some implementations, the handle portion 110 includes a second elongated portion 110 d extending from the interface portion 110 c and through the opening 110 c 3 of the interface portion 110 c on the proximal end 110 c 1. In some implementations, the second elongated portion 110 d extend from the center of the interface portion 110 c.

FIG. 1D illustrates an example cross-sectional view when the head portion 120 is connected to the interface portion 110 c. In some implementations, as shown in FIG. 1D, when the head portion 120 is connected to the interface portion 110 c, the second elongated portion 110 d extends through the opening 120 a of the head portion 120 on the distal end 120 c and rests on the distal end 130 b of the magnet 130. In this way, when the dart 100 makes impact with the board 200, 200 b the magnet 130 stays in place.

FIG. 2A illustrates an example magnetic board 200 according to the present disclosure.

In some implementations, the magnetic board 200 is may be a thin flat piece of material having one or more layers. In some implementations, the magnetic board 200 may be configured so that a magnet that comes into contact with the board may adhere to the board. In some implementation, the board 200 may include a ferromagnetic material. One of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this invention would know how to make a magnetic board.

In some implementations, the viewable surface of the magnetic board 200 includes a plurality are color-coded spaces 210 wherein each space or a portion of the space is a particular color. In some implementations, the color-coded spaces 210 may be square. In some implementations, the color-coded spaces 210 may be any suitable shape.

In some implementations, for each letter of the alphabet, the viewable surface may include at least one color-coded space 210 corresponding to the letter.

FIG. 2A illustrates another example magnetic board 200 b according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2B, in some implementations, for each letter of the alphabet, the viewable surface may include at least one color-coded space 230 having the letter printed within the color-coded space. In some implementations, a color-coded space comprises a letter printed in a particular color.

In some implementations, for each letter of the alphabet, the magnetic board and dart spelling system may include a separate color-coded magnetic piece (e.g., piece 220) having the letter printed on its viewable surface. In some implementations, the separate color-coded magnetic pieces may be configured to be magnetically attracted to the magnetic board 200, 200 b. In some implementations, the separate color-coded magnetic pieces each include a magnet. In some implementations, the separate magnetic pieces may be square. In some implementations, the separate magnetic pieces may be any suitable shape.

In some implementations, a color may correspond to a fixed group of letters of the alphabet. In some implementations, there may be four distinct colors where each color corresponds to a distinct group of letters and where each letter of the alphabet corresponds to one of the four distinct colors. For example, in some implementation, a first color may correspond to the letters A, B, C, F, H, I, M, O, P, T, S, W. In some implementation, a second color may correspond to the letters D, E, G, L, N, R, U. In some implementation, a third color may correspond to the letters J, K, Q, V, Y. In some implementation, a fourth color may correspond to the letters X, Z.

In some implementations, there may be less than four distinct colors where each color corresponds to a distinct group of letters and where each letter of the alphabet corresponds to one of the less than four distinct colors.

In some implementations, there may be more than four distinct colors where each color corresponds to a distinct group of letters and where each letter of the alphabet corresponds to one of the more than four distinct colors.

In some implementations, a color may correspond to a distinct point value. For example, in some implementations, a first color may correspond to a first point value. In some implementations, a second color may correspond to a second point value. In some implementations, a third color may correspond to a third point value. In some implementations, a fourth color may correspond to a fourth point value.

In some implementations, a color may correspond to a fixed group of letters of the alphabet based on the frequency of the letter as the first letter used in English words.

In some implementations, a color may correspond to a frequency range of letters as the first letter used in English words. In some implementations, a color corresponding to a lower frequency range may have a higher point value than a color having to a higher frequency range.

In some implementation, one or more players may play a spelling game using the magnetic board and dart spelling system. In some implementations, players take turns tossing the dart 100 at the vertically mounted board 200, 200 a. Once the dart 100 lands on a color-coded space 210, 230, the player spells a word beginning with the letter corresponding to the color-coded space 210. In some implementations, the player has no more than one minute to spell a word.

In some implementations, the value of the word is based on the point value of the color-coded space 210 on which the player landed. In some implementations, the value of the word is based on the point value of the color-coded space 210 on which the player landed and the length of the word spelled.

In some implementations, instead of using the dart 100, players may pick one separate color-coded magnetic piece (e.g., piece 220) from a bag and place it on the corresponding color-coded space 210 on board 200 and spell a word as described above.

In some implementation, instead of using a dart, player may use one or more dice to spell a word. For example, the board 200 shown in FIG. 2B may be placed on a horizontal surface. In some implementations, the board 200 may not be magnetic. In some implementations, as shown in FIG. 3, a first die 310 may have one or more sides having a color corresponding to a fixed group of letters of the alphabet. When the first die is rolled, the player must spell a word beginning with a letter corresponding to the color indicated on side of the first dice facing up. In some implementations, a second die 320 may have one or more sides having a number or range of number to indicate an allowable word length. When the second die is rolled, the player must spell a word having the length indicated by the side of the second dice facing up. In some implementations, both the first dice and second dice may be used to spell a word beginning with a letter corresponding to the color indicated on the side of the first dice facing up and having the length indicated by side of the second dice facing up.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “an implementation” or words of similar import means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrase “in an embodiment” or “an implementation” or a phrase of similar import in various places throughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.

The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the above description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown or described in detail. 

1. A magnetic dart comprising: a handle portion, and a head portion configured to hold a magnet wherein the handle portion includes an elongated portion that tapers from a proximal end to a distal end wherein the elongated portion has a first diameter at the proximal end and a smaller, second diameter at the distal end; the handle portion includes a circular portion extending from the distal end of the elongated portion wherein the circular portion has a third diameter that is larger than the second diameter; the handle portion includes an interface portion extending from the proximal end of the elongated portion wherein the interface portion tapers from a proximal end to a distal end and the interface portion has a fourth diameter at the proximal end that is larger than first diameter of the elongated portion at the proximal end; the interface portion has a circular opening on the proximal end thereof and has a rim around the circular opening; the head portion has an opening extending through the head portion from the proximal end to the distal end of the head portion wherein the head portion includes a rim extending around the opening on the distal end of the head portion and wherein the rim on the distal end of the head portion is configured to engage the rim on proximal end of the interface portion to connect the head portion to the interface portion; the head portion includes a ledge extending around the opening at the proximal end of the head portion and the magnet includes a proximal end configured to extend through the opening of the head portion on the proximal end of the head portion and the magnet includes a distal end configured to rest on the ledge around the opening of the head portion at the proximal end of the head portion; and the handle portion includes a second elongated portion extending from the interface portion and through the opening of the interface portion on the proximal end of the interface portion and through the opening of the head portion on the distal end of the head portion.
 2. A magnetic board comprising: a thin flat piece of material having one or more layers configured so that a magnet that comes into contact with the board may magnetically adhere to the board; and a plurality are color-coded spaces on the material wherein each space or a portion of the space is a particular color wherein for each letter of the alphabet, the board includes at least one color-coded space; wherein a color corresponds to a fixed group of letters of the alphabet based on the frequency of the letter as the first letter used in English words; and a color may correspond to a distinct point value.
 3. The board of claim 2 wherein the board includes four distinct colors where each color corresponds to a distinct group of letters and wherein each letter of the alphabet corresponds to one of the four distinct colors.
 4. The board of claim 2 wherein a color corresponding to a lower frequency range may have a higher point value than a color corresponding to a higher frequency range.
 5. A method of playing a spelling game using a dart and the board of claim 2, the method comprising: vertically mounting the board; tossing the dart at the board; and spelling a wording beginning with the letter corresponding to the color-coded space on which the dart lande; and computing a value of the word based on the point value of the color-coded space on which the player landed and the length of the word. 